April 29: 1 Peter 1 1-2
Key Verse: 1 Peter 1 2
who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.
Devotion:
Peter, formerly known as Simon, was given his new name by Jesus because of the foreknowledge Christ had of whom he could and would be. Peter does acknowledge himself with his new name because h was now living a life which was quite different to his former life without Christ. His journey was long and very difficult at times where he would struggle with his feelings and his dedication to Jesus, something I am sure we all struggle with at some time or another.
He addresses this letter to all people scattered across the lands; that is the Jews who had gone beyond their borders and no longer were living the life dictated by the Jewish law-makes. To me this seems to be the people who were disillusioned with the constant need to stick to laws which were centuries old and seemed to have drifted away from what they believed. Peter was probably addressing them to bring them back into the fold, not of law-abiding Jews, but of Messiah believing Jews.
He was quite convinced many people had been chosen by God and now were living their different lives, not because they liked rebellion, but because they were convicted by the Holy Spirit and wanted to b obedient to their Messiah, Jesus Christ. A few years ago I would have said the modern Christian had a similar choice in their lives, whether to follow the church and its rules, or to follow Christ. But I see so many people coming back to living their lives with Christ at the centre that I think the church is growing with a new vigour for Christ.
It is this vigour to have Christ at the centre of our lives which I want to encourage in all of us. Yes, we are probably like Simon-Peter and have gone on the side of humanity rather than siding with Christ when the pressure got too much. Remember Christ at all times. Remember how He encouraged Peter to turn fully back to Him. Remember the new vigour given to Peter and try to be more like him today.
Points to Ponder:
When was the last time you chose earthly ways instead of Christian ways?
Do you know Christ has already forgiven you and wants to strengthen you now?
April 28: James 1 1-5
Key Verse: James 1 1
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings.
Devotion:
The epistle of James is generally believed to be written by James the brother of Jesus, otherwise known as James the Just! The letter is written to all of the tribes of Israel who have been scattered about a bit. People just don’t like to be kept in – which makes this lock-down all the harder for us all to endure! The twelve tribes still had their allocated land as defined by their ancestors, but they had moved about quite a lot over the many hundreds of years since being given the land.
James is writing this to all the people to give them various reminders of just who they are as God’s chosen race. This does not exclude everyone else but is directed to the Jews who have been facing a hard time being caught between the upholders of the law and those who were upholding Jesus. James is convinced Jesus is the Messiah and wants all of the people in the twelve tribes to believe this same truth he has grown to understand.
Through following what Jesus had gone through, James understood the meaning of trials and how we have to lean on our faith to be able to get through the hard times. I have found it such a great comfort knowing I have Jesus as my Saviour during these times we all live in today. My faith has given me the courage to continue on and to also trust God has my back. When everyone went mad about shopping and being greedy, I continued to ask God to keep me supplied in essentials and to look after me (my nearest and dearest included in the ‘me’.) All the time I knew God would not let me down just as He did not during my time in hospital.
It was these times of trials which broadened my faith and which I wish to pass on to you just as James was passing this on to all the people of Israel. The perseverance we gain allows us to finish the work God has appointed us to do so we can gain more faith and more strength to do more for Him. Christ was able to gain everything by giving everything!
Points to Ponder:
What do you do for God?
Will you trust Him to give you more to do?
April 27: Hebrews 1 1-4
Key Verse: Hebrews 1 1
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways
Devotion:
The apostle’s letter to the Hebrew people was quite different to the others we have read so far, primarily because of whom h was talking to. The Jews knew they were the chosen people and knew from their history all that God had done for them; some may have forgotten because they had not experienced it first hand, but as a whole, they knew who they were – God was their protector!
But what our apostle is saying here is a solid reminder to the people about their history. History was very important to them, and still is. Many Jewish families can trace their families back a long way – just because they have kept records or told stories generation after generation. The reminder here is the rich history they have and now, after Christ had risen, a new purpose to their existence. Not that they did not already have a purpose, but God had made sure the promises He made had come true in their generation!
Jesus Christ’s name had to be glorified and He had to be lifted up to His rightful place by God’s side – something many would have doubted would happen in their lifetime because they had such a long history of waiting. Let’s compare this to our lifestyle now. Who would have guessed we would be living through a global pandemic in our lifetime? It’s just not what was expected and yet, here we are. Leaders around the world seem to be in mild panic as they say things which we can reflect on as being totally ridiculous; all because we find ourselves in extraordinary times!
This striking beginning to this letter reminds us all of the position Jesus held and how Christ was glorified by God the Father so we would be in awe of His love for us all; the Hebrew people being in the very centre of this all in that generation! We can now look forward to seeing all the things God has promised come true! What a privileged time we live in!
Points to Ponder:
What fills your mind in our time now?
Will you read up a little more to allow Christ to be in the centre of your life?
April 26: Philemon 1 1-3
Key Verse: Philemon 1 1
Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker -
Devotion:
At this time Paul is a prisoner, not a prisoner locked up by Christ because He had already ascended into Heaven, but a prisoner of the Roman Empire being locked up because of his continued proclamation of the gospel despite being told not to! Paul did care for the laws of the land, but when those laws tell you to do something against God, you have to make a choice and Paul chose God! Paul did not have any reason to be ashamed of being locked up because it was for all the right reasons!
Timothy was not imprisoned and so is introduced here to reassure Philemon there is someone who will be able to support him despite Paul being locked up. It I thought that Philemon was a ma of great standing in the local community and indeed must have been fairly well off to be able to host church in his home. I doubt I would be able to get too many people in my home to if we were allowed to do that…
We live on o around a local estate here in North London where we reach out to people with the gospel an invite them to come as they are and be with Christ. We don’t have a church building but use our local community centre where we have to set up and take down everything which makes our services go every week – or at least that is how we were doing in until we all had to join the lock-down. We long for the day when we will be able to see everyone together, face to face, and know that Christ is with us!
I’m sure Paul was hoping to be able to meet together in a building where they could all worship God together – being stuck at home or in prison alone is not the most encouraging place to be! But, God is with us and continues to give us hope no matter what the physical circumstance. This is what Paul was trying to get across even though he was in prison for following God’s will in his life.
Points to Ponder:
What do you do for church nowadays?
Would you be willing to be locked up just because you obeyed God?
April 25: Titus 1 1-4
Key Verse: Titus 1 1
Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ to further the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness -
Devotion:
Wow, what a great start to a letter! When was the last time you received a communication which was so encouraging and full of hope? I know I am very definitely not anything like that in my communications with others, but I certainly am going to give it a go! My thinking is that the more I stop n think about the beginning of any communication, the better it will be. So many times I have sent out something which seem to be so crass when I read I back later wondering why the person has not responded in kind – well, just maybe the d not want to respond to my ramblings!
The first thing Paul lets go with is the knowledge he is an apostle who is called to further the faith of God’s elect. What does this actually mean? He was called to encourage other people in their walk of faith! He was not called to stand and talk at people, but to communicate with people and encourage them to not just listen but to be active in their walk with God. We are not called to simply teach people about God but to encourage them to expand their own relationships with God.
God is the one who has promised us eternal life in Heaven to all who are willing to believe it so. He gave this promise long before we were born and continues to keep that promise generation after generation. We are just messengers who need to keep telling others of all of God’s great promises to us, showing others they too have the hope we have and can enjoy eternal life with Christ at the appointed time. It should not worry us we do not know when, but simply believing it to be true!
This faith is common to every person on earth! Every one of us has the choice to believe God and His promises. Every one of us has the choice accepting this common hope and having faith we will all be in Heaven together – no matter what we have done in the past!
Points to Ponder:
Do you like encouraging people?
Who are you going to call today to offer hope?